The Hypothalamus and the Pituitary Flashcards
Which glands coordinate the majority of the glands in the endocrine system?
Pituitary and Hypothalamus
Where does the pituitary gland sit in relation to the hypothalamus?
Immediately below
What is the function of the hypothalamus?
Neuroendocrine function- releases chemicals into blood to act at distal sites
In which bone in there a depression in which the anterior pituitary sits?
Sphenoid bone
Which part of the pituitary is an extension of the hypothalamus?
Posterior pituitary- extension of neural tissue
->anterior pituitary gland is a true endocrine gland but is still linked to hypothalamus
What is the name given to the stalk which connects the hypothalamus to the pituitary?
Infundibulum
What provides the connection between the anterior pituitary and the hypothalamus?
Capillary portal system
Which part of the pituitary gland is a true endocrine gland?
Anterior pituitary gland
Which part of the pituitary makes up the majority of it?
Anterior- 2/3
Posterior- 1/3
The posterior pituitary is neuroendocrine. What role does it have?
Consists of axons and nerve terminals of hypothalamic neurons and secretes neurohormones which are made in the hypothalamus
List some of the stimuli which create an input to the hypothalamus in which the hypothalamus then responds to.
Cold
Stress
Puberty
Sleep
Pregnancy
Metabolic demand
What is the goal of the hypothalamus?
To maintain homeostasis
After the hypothalamus receives input from stimuli, how is a response generated to maintain homeostasis?
Via the pituitary gland
Both the hypothalamus and the anterior pituitary release tropic and non-tropic hormones.
What is meant by a tropic hormone?
A hormone which alters the release of another hormone
Which type of hormones are all hormones released from the hypothalamus?
Neurohormones
Which type of hormones are all hormones released from the posterior pituitary?
Neurohormones
Which type of hormones are all hormones released from the anterior pituitary?
Classic endocrine hormones
Name the two forms of hypothalamic neurohormones.
Tropic
Non-tropic
Where are non-tropic hormones produced and where do they travel to?
Non tropic hormones are produced in the hypothalamus and travel to the posterior pituitary.
They are then released into the blood
Where are all the tropic hormones secreted?
Into capillaries leading into the anterior the anterior pituitary.
Therefore:
a. which type of hormone are all the hormones of posterior pituitary gland?
b. which type of hormone are all the hormones of anterior pituitary gland?
a. Posterior= non-tropic
b. Anterior= tropic